A life diary

Dearest Don Mario Carrera,
This morning I made a deposit into the Pia Unione current account, writing that a letter from me followed. I read in his note dated March 14th that he hoped to receive some good news soon! So, as an invitation, I will explain the situation to you so that you know what I have asked for prayers for and I hope to give you good news soon. Ah! Saint Joseph! Hear us! I am writing to you about the grace so urgently requested from our dear Saint Joseph. My daughter and her family live near Rome and we live in Piedmont. With enormous courage - or recklessness - they decided to come to Piedmont to a town fifteen minutes by car from us; here life still flows peacefully. My son-in-law found a house they liked; he has done the paperwork to transfer his job (he works at school) and has also started the paperwork to start a job, which has always been his dream (to open a small gym to teach fencing to children) in this new town. […] I have been praying for some time with the Saint Joseph novena and also with the Sacred Mantle. I spoke to little Sofia about Saint Joseph and now she prays to him too; I hope that the dear Saint wants to listen not so much to my prayer but to that of little Sofia! And so is yours.
I have read in the Sacred Mantle and also in other writings what Saint Teresa of Avila assures... then it is not possible that we remain alone without obtaining this grace! I know, these are material graces, but our life is also made up of this.
My daughter is very demoralized. It seems to be done on purpose: when one thing doesn't go well... other things also start to go wrong and the state of mind magnifies the problems. I am confident in the intercession of Saint Joseph, indeed, I am sure of it!
I thank you very much and I count on your prayers and supplications to Saint Joseph for us.
Franca

Dear Mrs Franca,
I thank you for your testimony and your great trust in Saint Joseph. He was the earthly father of Jesus, he also had a temporary job: he worked when they called him for some need. Not every day they had guaranteed what was necessary to live, but the Providence that he had provided with manna for the Jewish people in the desert always had a hand ready to give what was necessary. The words of Saint Teresa of Avila are the guarantee of a constant love that watches over us even when the times of God's plans are different from ours. It is true that we, like hasty children, want everything immediately, especially material graces. In the hands of God, the pedagogy of waiting can help us grow with responsibility and greater participation. Saint Joseph knows that we are always and, despite everything, on children loved with tenderness as Jesus loved in the house of Nazareth.

Prayer as a lifeline

Dear Don Mario,
the pain and fear of these days are immense. I trust in the prayers of him and of all the people who share the devotion to Saint Joseph. We rely on Jesus, on Mary Most Holy and on God Our Father, on all the Saints and on our dearly departed. I am grateful for her words of comfort and above all for her closeness with prayer. My husband is a sunny and wonderful person and God in his providence will have a look of goodness and compassion. For the trust I have in God, I ask for his prayers and the intercession of Saint Joseph, protector of families, and of Saint Luigi Guanella, I ask for this great grace for the physical and spiritual well-being of my entire family that a glimmer of hope may open of light and hope.
And with a grateful heart I will thank the merciful Father for the kindness he has used me.
Letter signed